GEORGINA BEYER (Labour-Wairarapa): I move, That the Masterton Trust Lands Bill be now read a second time. The Masterton Trust Lands Bill is very important for Masterton in my electorate of the Wairarapa. It has a number of key points that I would like to point out. As well, I would like to reflect on the report back from the Local Government and Environment Committee.

The Masterton Trust Lands Trust is a body corporate that holds certain land for educational and public utility purposes in the trust district. The purposes of this bill are twofold: the consolidation, amendment, and modernisation of the laws relating to the trust’s lands; and the repeal of the Masterton Trust Lands Act of 1966.

The people of Masterton really do need this bill, because the current language and best business practice should be on the basis of the work of the trust and because the current governing legislation, the Masterton Trust Lands Act, is outdated and hamstrings the actions of the trust. This bill requires the electors and members of the trust to live within the trust district; it abolishes a redundant distinction between scholarship land and general trust land; it gives the trust more powers for the disposal and leasing of land, investment, and borrowing; and it modernises accounting practices.

The background is as follows. The Masterton Trust Lands Trust was established in 1889. Its origins date back to the formation in the 1850s of a settlement upon the principle of a small farm association, and the setting apart of that tithe of land for public purposes and for the service of the settlement. The trust is a body corporate that holds certain lands, primarily for the promotion and assistance of matters beneficial to the community in the trust district, which include, but are not limited to, educational purposes. The purposes specified include: assisting educational establishments and educational activities in the trust district; assisting libraries in the trust district; the promotion, advancement, or encouragement in, or for, the trust district of education, science, literature, art, and other cultural purposes; and physical welfare.

Over many, many years, the trust has, as I have outlined, made a major contribution to the foundation of the town and district in the Masterton area. The Local Government and Environment Committee was under considerable duress with other legislation when this bill came before it in May 2002. I congratulate that committee, led by Jeanette Fitzsimons, on the relatively speedy—considering its workload—return to the House of this bill. The committee has suggested a number of amendments in its report back, and I support them wholeheartedly. They take a common-sense approach and bring the bill more into line with legislation such as the Local Government Act. It will allow for more public accountability with regard to the role of the Auditor-General as far as the public accounts of the business of the trust are concerned. The bill is compliant with modern business practice, and everything in it is accountable to that practice.

Without further ado, I thank those in the House who have supported this bill to date. I continue to look forward to the support of members. Apparently, there was no controversy during the select committee stage, and since all parties are represented on that committee, I take that as an indication that there may well be continued support.